The Four Motors gathered in favor of a society without barrier
The Four Motors and the European Commission renew their commitment to disability
On December 5, Speakers from Catalonia, Baden-Württemberg and Lombardy were invited to a round table during the Forum Extraordinaire in Lyon to share the strategies on disability implemented at the regional level. This event took place in the framework of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes presidency of the Four Motors.
In her opening speech, Sandrine Chaix, vice-president in charge of Social action and Disability, thanked them for their participation. Then, in a video message, Helena Dalli, European commissioner for Equality, underlined that she considers the Regions as "privileged partners in the implementation of the European strategy on the rights of people with disabilities". According to her, the Regions can make a difference in their investments to remove barriers in society and promote accessibility. The commissioner also recalled that European funds can contribute in areas such as de-institutionalization, socio-economic inclusion and access to care.
Alison Crabb, head of Unit for Inclusion and Disability at the European Commission's Directorate General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, illustrated the European strategy by citing the draft European disability card that will be presented in 2023 by the European Commission and that is currently under public consultation. She encouraged stakeholders to mobilize to express their views on the future legislative proposal. Finally, she greeted the Forum Extraordinaire as a source of inspiration highlighting examples of concrete implementation of disability measures in the Four Motors for Europe regions.
Action plans of the Four Motors for Europe to reach a "society without barriers”
Catalonia is at the forefront of building a "barrier-free society". In fact, Catalonia has exclusive competence in social services, as Gemma Pifarré, head of the Unit for the Promotion of Accessibility and the Removal of Barriers at the Catalan Ministry of Social Rights, pointed out. The New Accessibility Code of Catalonia, structured in 11 areas, will be a regulation that will allow a more inclusive society, essential to comply with the United Nations Convention and make effective the rights of people with disabilities..
For Lombardy, Claudia Moneta, director general for Family, Social Solidarity, Disability and Equal Opportunities, presented the three-year action plan for policies for people with disabilities. The focus was on accessible tourism, in line with "Bergamo and Brescia, Italian Capitals of Culture 2023".
The Baden-Württemberg disability strategy was presented by Diana Kalt, responsible for the revised state action plan for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The strategy includes three points: project funding (e.g. Accessibility 4.0, Inclusion Plus Award 2021 ); the creation of a center for accessibility (operational since December 3, 2022); and the application of the new implementation plan for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
To conclude, Manuelle Dupuy, deputy director general for Transversal Policies of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region, invited Catalonia, Lombardy, and Baden-Württemberg to take part in the Global Games to be held in Vichy in June 2023.